Barbara Bedell: West Point Band offers free concert for kids

Members of the West Point Band's Quintette 7 will offer an entertaining concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Trophy Point Amphitheatre. Preceding it will be the group's favorite interaction with children, its instrument petting zoo. The musicians share their instruments with the children and answer their questions. It's an exceptional event that is fun, free and open to the public.

Members of the West Point Band's Quintette 7 will offer an entertaining concert at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Trophy Point Amphitheatre. Preceding it will be the group's favorite interaction with children, its instrument petting zoo. The musicians share their instruments with the children and answer their questions. It's an exceptional event that is fun, free and open to the public.

Before leaving home, check the band's hotline at 938-2617 for possible cancellations and location changes because of weather.

The fasting month of Ramadan has begun for our Muslim neighbors. It falls during the ninth month on the Islamic calendar, which is lunar, not solar. The month, which started July 9-10,is a time when Muslims abstain from food, drink and other worldly comforts from dawn to sundown.

"Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification," according to the book "A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam," sent to me by Mikaal Waters, executive director of Understanding Islam Foundation in Culver City, Calif.

The Middletown-Thrall Library on Depot Street has numerous books and materials to broaden our awareness of other cultures and religions. Among the gifts are volumes from the Middletown Islamic community.

The first event in the summer concert series for the Pine Bush Area Arts Council will be at 7 p.m. today at the Village Gazebo off Main Street.

The popular '50s-'70s band The Mustangs will entertain. There is no rain date. Concerts will be every Friday during the summer, weather permitting. For information, call Karen Fox at 744-2991.

The Muddy Water Players Creative Theatre is presenting the first of nine performances of the comedy "Lend Me a Tenor" by Ken Ludwig at 8 p.m. today at the Playhouse at Museum Village, Route 17M in Monroe. Tickets are $22 and include dessert. For information, call the box office at 294-9465 or visit ctmwp.org.

The 12th annual Family Day at Downing Park, hosted by the Maj. Gen. Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, led by Glen Fraser, president, will be from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. There will be food and music by a popular local Mexican mariachi band. For information, contact Fraser at 329-0036 or glendonfraser@mac.com.

The 41st annual Stamp Show hosted by the Sullivan County Philatelic Society will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center, 2 Jefferson St. in Monticello. The theme is the 150th anniversary of the 143rd New York Infantry, which fought during the Civil War. A cancellation will be available during the day. For information, call Art Rosenzweig at 794-2586.

More than 60 bags of clothes, totaling more than 2,500 pieces, were collected by the employees at Old Navy at 128 Bailey Farm Road in Monroe. The one-week drive benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters. For information about Old Navy's community involvement projects, call Daniel LaSeige, manager of operations, at 774-8720.

After an exceptional term as Rotary District 7210 governor, Dr. Bill Bassett of Pine Bush conducted his last club appearance to officially pass the office to his successor, Drew Kessler, 32, a member of the North Rockland Rotary. Unfortunately, the photos we had weren't usable.

Barbara Bedell's column appears daily. Reach her at 346-3125 or by email: bbedell@th-record.com